What Are Left Handed Circular Saws?

Depending on the material you want to cut through, you may need a specific circular saw or particular blade, like a metal-cutting circular saw.

Just like how certain circular saws are designed by manufacturers for specific materials, so too are circular saw blades.

Most circular saws allow you to switch out the blade that they come with, as well.

So, if you have a wood-working project where you need to make straight cuts or angled cuts, then a circular saw will be perfect for you to use.

And if you’re left hand dominant, then a left handed circular saw will be a good option.

But when we say left handed circular saw, what do we mean? A left handed circular saw is designed to put the blade on the left and the motor on the right. This design allows you to grip the main handle with your left hand and the secondary handle with your right, which is why this design benefits left hand dominant users.

A right handed circular saw is designed in reverse, with the blade on the right and the motor on the left. Right hand dominant users benefit the most from this circular saw.

Now, here’s why there are differences between the two.

Right Handed vs. Left Handed Circular Saw

Now don’t think that a left handed circular saw is the only option available. While most sidewinder saws are designed with the blade on the left side, some manufacturers do make saws that have the blade on the right instead.

Ideally, you’ll want to get the saw that has the blade on the side of your dominant hand, and there are some reasons for that.

Circular saws are designed to be used with two hands at once.

If you have a right handed circular saw and you are left hand dominant, then you’re likely to grip the main handle with your left hand and the front handle with your right hand while cutting.

This is where the problem arises because your right wrist is now blocking your line of sight. Your right wrist is also crossing over the blade guard, which can be a safety hazard should your blade guard fail or is missing.

This same situation can happen if you’re using a left handed circular saw and you are right hand dominant.

To avoid that situation, it’s better to get a left handed circular saw if you’re left handed and vice versa. By doing so, you’re gripping the main handle with your dominant hand, and your non-dominant hand isn’t crossing over the blade guard or blocking your line of sight.

Something else to consider that may end up being a minor thing for you is the placement of the material you’re cutting with these saws.

You usually want to have the material you’re cutting underneath the motor of the saw to act as support. Depending on which saw you’ve bought you’ll either have the material on your left side or the right side.

This is important because you don’t want to place the motor of your circular saw over the waste edge, the side of the material you’re cutting off, because when the waste edge falls away your saw will lose that support.

Notable Characteristics

The most notable characteristic of a left handed circular saw is the fact that the blade is on the left side of the motor, which we’ve mentioned briefly.

The placement of the blade is the easiest way to identify a left handed circular saw.

Also mentioned earlier is the line of sight. Left handed circular saws have a clearer line of sight because the main bulk of the saw, the motor, is not blocking your view.

Another characteristic you’ll want to pay attention to while shopping is that some sizes of circular saws are often dominated by right handed or left handed designs.

For example, 6 1/2 inch circular saws are typically left handed. When you are shopping for a reliable left handed circular saw you’ll need to keep in mind the size for this reason.

You may also find that a lot of cordless saws are left handed; whereas, a lot of corded saws are right handed. The cordless feature is great for you if you prefer better movability as opposed to a steady power supply.

Let’s Take a Look at the Best Left Handed Circular Saws

With a varying price point from $160 to $180 depending on the retailer, the Milwaukee 6391-21 Circular Saw is overall a good quality tool but does have some room for improvement. It features a 9′ cord with an adjustable handle. This saw has a max cut depth at 90-degrees of 2-7/16 inches.

Priced between $119 to $340, the Makita 5477NB Hypoid Saw is a great quality hypoid saw that can stack up against the competition. Keep in mind that as a hypoid saw, it will have less RPM but greater torque capacity.

DeWalt DCS391B 6-1/2″ Circular Saw ranges from $99 to $140. This saw is the smallest of the ones we’ve reviewed and, like the Bosch CS5, makes for a decent starter circular saw. This is a cordless circular saw which is great for the left handed people.

Specifications

Motor

20 V

Speed (No Load)

5,150 RPM

Weight

7.0 pounds

Blade Diameter

6-1/2 inch

Maximum Bevel Capacity

50 degrees

Warranty

3 year limited warranty

The Pros

Greater movability and won’t require extension cords.

The base plate is of magnesium construction and more durable.

Blade break that engages the moment you let go of the trigger.

Rubber grips on handles for comfort.

The Cons

Saw guard is made of plastic and not very durable.

Batteries are not included and will have to be a separate purchase.

Standard blade works well on plywood but will need to be replaced for thicker material.

The Skilsaw Southpaw SPT67M8-01 7-1/4″ Circular Saw is possibly best circular saw in this review with great, durable construction while still remaining fairly lightweight. This saw prices between $119 and $150 depending on the retailer.

Specifications

Motor

120 V, 15 Amp

Speed (No Load)

5,300 RPM

Weight

10.6 pounds

Blade Diameter

7-1/4 inch

Maximum Bevel Capacity

45 degrees

Warranty

1 year limited warranty

The Pros

All magnesium construction for longer lasting use.

Worm drive styled guards to direct dust away from you.

Rubber handles for better comfort.

Dual copper windings, so the motor runs cooler and longer.

The Cons

The included standard blade may need to be switched out for a better-quality blade.

No electric blade break for immediate blade stops.

Your Preference Matters

Whether you are right handed and use a left handed circular saw or left handed and use a right handed circular saw, it’s all still up to you.

Whichever one you decide to buy should be the one you feel most comfortable working with. Of course, you may not have a preference and are comfortable with both types of saws.

However, if you’ve never owned a circular saw before, then we recommend finding a home improvement store local to you and seeing if they have any circular saws on display.

Pick up the display saws and handle them with both hands, with one hand, with your non-dominant hand, and your dominant hand. You’ll want to get a good idea of what feels the most natural and easiest to use for you.

At the end of the day, this saw is for your personal projects, and you don’t want to get a circular saw just to find out it’s too awkward to operate.

Liked What We Had to Say?

If you have any more questions about circular saws or other power tools, then contact us, and we’ll be happy to give you some answers.

Also, if you ever want to get inspired for personal home projects then check out our Instagram where we post interior design ideas.

I’m left handed and do all my woodworking left handed. I have the opposite definition of right/left saws then proposed here. When I’ve used a left blade saw I can’t see where the blade is unless I lean way over the saw and look back to the right. This means being in a higher above position to see where the blade is going. I have a hard time seeing the blade in relation to the cut line when I’m on the right side looking past the motor.

When the blade is right and the motor is on the left I can clearly see where the blade is going in relation to the line I’m cutting. Reaching over the guard seems a non-issue for safety concerns.

I can cut with my right hand and when I do it’s great to see the blade and the cut line. That’s why I want to switch to right blade saws.

I agree Barry. I am left handed I have been using right hand Makita corded all my life. Recently purchased a Ryobi 6 1/2″ Battery circular saw as my cordless tools are all Ryobi now (due to Makita changing battery design leaving me with expensive useless tools). Any way. I was impressed with the cut for an inexpensive saw and it was quiet. However, I am very uncomfortable with the left hand configuration. I now feel like I need clamps to hold material while I cut to be accurate. As I am not used to holding board with right hand and saw with left. And I do not see the cut line as good as a right hand saw. I do like the convienience of a battery circular saw. But I do not expect the sme accurate,cut as a right hand corded or 7 1/2″ Battery. Which is going to be my Miwaukee upgrade. They have 12 amp battery with a 3 year warranty on battery. I can cut that deal. I also hope all battery tool producers learned from Makita switching design leaving me stuck. I will never buy Makita cordless anything.

I don’t agree with your advise on right vs left blade saw. I have been using Circular saws for 50 years and I am right handed. You can’t beat the left blade saw for accuracy and I have never had a safety issue. First you have to have respect for all power tools. 2nd common sense is something not built into the power tool and has to be supplied by the user.

I am right handed and use a Makita with the motor on the left and the balde on the right side. I came to this article to find out if I had bought a left handed tool, as it felt quite ackward using this right handed one. I feel like I have to lean my head out of my balance to see where the Cut is Made as my intuition wants to look at the cutting line on the left side instead. I will get a left handed one, though the safety button will definitely be on the wrong side of the grip, so I’ll check the models sugested here. Thanks.

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